5.0
A Taste of Edinburgh: Whisky Tour
- 2.5 hours
- Food Tours
- Edinburgh
Choose one of 4 locals available
Experience hosted by Monica, GJ & other locals
- Private Tour
- Carbon Neutral
- Destination
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Category
- Food Tours
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Transport mode
- Walking tour
- Available languages
- English
- Included
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- Private guide
- 4 Whisky tastings
- All Withlocals tours are carbon neutral
- Excluded
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- Extra tastings
6 reasons to book this tour
- Get to know the influence of whisky in Edinburgh
- Be part of a local food tradition: Whisky
- Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
- Enjoy tastings & learn how to drink them like a local
- Embrace the local culture & their whisky rituals
- Visit whisky & culture highlights for more insights
What you can expect
Edinburgh is world-famous for its whisky, and now you can experience it like a true local. But what makes this cultural tradition so deeply rooted in Scotland? Forget the tourist traps—this private whisky tour is your exclusive gateway to discovering the authentic whisky experience.
Your expert local guide will take you on a journey through Edinburgh’s finest whisky bars, where you’ll indulge in multiple tastings of carefully selected single malts, premium whiskies, and unique local blends. This isn't just about drinking whisky—it's about understanding its heritage, craftsmanship, and role in Scottish culture.
This private tour isn’t just a tasting—it’s an immersive whisky adventure. You’ll visit hidden gems, hear captivating whisky tales, and get insider access to Edinburgh’s best whisky spots. Want to tailor your route? No problem! Your host will customize the experience to match your interests, ensuring a truly personalized whisky journey.
Ready to sip, savor, and uncover the real spirit of Edinburgh? Join us for an unforgettable private whisky tour—where every dram tells a story.
Choose your local
Get to know these 4 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.
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Monica
The Scottish Celebrant
5.0110 reviewsEnglish -
GJ
The Enthusiastic, Entertaining Local
4.911 reviewsEnglish -
Alec
The Talk o’ the Toon
4.988 reviewsEnglish -
Chris
Entwined in the fabric of Edinburgh, history and present.
5.023 reviewsEnglish
This is the plan
Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.
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Meeting point
Meet at In front of Albanach pub - Edinburgh to start your journey
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Itinerary
This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.
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Whisky & Culture
On this private tour, discover why whisky is so relevant for the locals and their culture. Your local host is ready to take you on a tour where flavor, traditions, and cultural history combine to give you the perfect taste of Edinburgh -
Authentic Tastings
To fully understand the significance of food in the Scottish culture, you must give it a try. And on this tour, you’ll get to enjoy Single malt whisky, Premium whisky, and other tastings that put this tradition on the map! -
Whisky Traditions
Do as the locals do and embrace the way they enjoy Whisky - the authentic way. Learn the history behind this local ritual, the right way to enjoy it, and tips and tricks on the best ways to drink it! -
Cultural Highlights
Visit highlights relevant to the whisky and cultural theme of your tour where you can know more about Edinburgh and where your local host can give more insights and recommendations -
Make it yours
Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.
Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.
Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.
Flexible cancellation policy
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Feel confident booking
Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.
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Change of plans?
Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.
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Loved by travelers worldwide
Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.
Reviews from guests
Frauke🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
19 August 2025
Our Whisky-Tour with Chris was fantastic! The pubs were very traditional and he knew lots of thinks to tell. It was a really nice evening. Thank you so much!
Andrea🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
17 August 2025
G war sehr zuvorkommend, kompetent und freundlich. Er hat das programm genau auf unsere wünsche abgestimmt und war super flexibel.Er hat uns auch sonst viel von der geschichte der stadt und geheimtipps abgegeben. wir würden sofort wieder bei ihm buchen und werden ihn auf alle fälle weiter empfehlen.danke viel mal es bleibt ein highlight unserer reisewhisky tasting edinburgh
Rob🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
27 June 2025
Alex was a wonderful host who had some incredibly interesting stories and insights about Edinburgh. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys a bit of of history interlaced with a glass of whiskey along the way!A fascinating insight into Edinburgh!
Teresa🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
11 September 2025
Chris was charming and our family group enjoyed the tour very much. He was kind to our picky eaters and spent extra time with us making sure we got to see a lot of wonderful things. Highly recommend as a nice introduction to Edinburgh.Wonderful time with Chris
John and Jill🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
8 September 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Neil. He recommended a great cafe as a meeting point, on the day we landed in Edinburgh…and some great restaurants and pubs for our visit. He has deep understanding of the city history and a warm, wonderful way of telling stories that bring history to life. We especially appreciated learning about writers like RL Stevenson, a particular expertise. Neil kept us entertained and gave us an amazing overview of the Old Town. What a great way to start our Scottish adventure!Warm and wonderful storyteller
Donald🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
7 September 2025
We had a great tour with Neil. He had lots of little tidbits of knowledge and suggestions for the rest of our stay. Highly recommend. Very knowledge and friendly
Michelle
(About local )
7 September 2025
My husband and I recently spent 4 days in Edinburgh and decided to try out one of these food tours with a local guide. Best money we spent the whole trip! It was amazing! There's something so nice about having a guide wholly focused on you and your interests.
Chris was so kind and friendly and excited to share his city's beautiful food with us. He shared a lot of very interesting history on the city and culture of Edinburg and Scotland while introducing us to food we would never have had here in the US. He helped teach us about the amazing taste of haggis and why it's really not as scary as most Americans think. He taught me how to appreciate a good whisky and fed us the best little pies I've ever had. We left our tour fully inspired to try new foods and drinks and with an excellent whisky recommendation to cook with.
This tour felt like a family friend was showing us around his home city, proud to share the special parts of it with us. I will absolutely recommend this tour with Chris to anyone looking for a unique experience in beautiful Edinburgh. He left such a wonderful impression on my husband and I. We both agreed that his tour was our favorite part of our whole 8 day trip through London and Edinburgh. Can't recommend Chris's tour enough!
A delicious tour from an incredible guide!
Michael
(About local )
6 September 2025
My wife and I had a great tour with Chris. He was informative, friendly and adapted the tour based on what we told him we were interested in. We tasted all sorts of local food as well as some fantastic whiskey. Chris provided a nice history of the city as well as fun stories of some of the important people who added to Edinbugh's history. Highly recommend.Great history and food tour
James🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
5 September 2025
Chris was an excellent guide. He adjusted his schedule to meet ours with some unexpected travel issues. He was very kind. He tailored the tour to our expectations and desires. He was well-versed and made the history of Edinburgh and Scotland interesting. I have been blessed to travel quite a bit. Chris rates equal to the best I’ve had. Book him and you will enjoy the day. What a wonderful tour and guide.
Miranda🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
4 September 2025
Chris gave us an informative walking tour of the history of the city, its architecture and storied places. He also gave us some tips for our next journey to Skye. A great overview for someone new to Edinburgh!Great tour of the city!
Jennifer
(About local )
3 September 2025
Monica was brilliant! We had a fun afternoon exploring Edinburgh castle with her, learning about the castle’s fascinating history, tales of Edinburgh and Scotland. She also gave us helpful travel advice for our departure to the Highlands the next day. Her tour was a special treat. Fantastic historian and storyteller
Lisa🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
25 August 2025
We enjoyed a wonderful evening with Neil as our guide through Old Town. He shared many interesting stories about the famous and fascinating people who lived there and his love for Edinburgh and knowledge of the history was evident as we strolled through this lovely city. We would highly recommend Neil for your tour guide.Great evening spent with Neil!
Steven
(About local )
23 August 2025
Our first day in Edinburgh was with Russell . He was fountain of knowledge that made our next week here much more enjoyable. He was full of interesting stories and antidotes as we moved through the old town. Highly recommend a tour with Russell.Great introduction to Edinburgh
Judith🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
19 August 2025
Neil was a wonderful guide. Informative, knowledgeable, and overall great guide. Highly recommend!! Wonderful tour
Mark and Lynnette along with Lyle and Vicki🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
17 August 2025
Chris was absolutely wonderful!!!! I would highly recommend him. He is a 10 for sure!!!Hire Chris hes awsome!!!$$$$
w
(About local )
17 August 2025
Passionating visit with a passionate guide! We discovered places where we would not have gone and of course we learned a lot about Robert Louis Stevenson and other famous Scottish writers.
Thank you very much Neil !Passionating
Wendy🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
16 August 2025
Neil was an amazing tour guide. We spent five hours with him, exploring the city and learning so much about Edinburgh’s history. A wonderful tour!
Russell
(About local )
15 August 2025
Neil is a really nice guy who was very informative and did a great job showing us the main sites in Edinburgh. We were tuckered out when we were done.
I would have like to have known more about Neil and his experience growing up in Edinburgh. 20k steps and got a lay of the land
clouser
(About local )
14 August 2025
Russell was the perfect local. His knowledge of his hometown and Country was amazing.
His way of explaining and allowing us to pick his mind for answers to many of our naive questions was exceptional.
We can unconditionally recommend Russell. Wonderful time with a true Scottish local
Christine
(About local )
8 August 2025
Tolle Führung, viele Infos, supernette Frau!Ein großartiges Erlebnis!
Sonja🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
5 August 2025
Just a few words - great Guide who showed us a lot from Edinburgh. We visited many spots and we heard a lot from a local. We had a blast!!! 😊👍👏Evening with Neil
Sarah🇫🇷 France
(About local )
5 August 2025
Nous avons effectué une remarquable visite d'Edimbourg sous la conduite de notre guide, Neil qui est un natif de la ville, à présent à la retraite. Il a su nous faire partager sa passion et nous plonger dans l'histoire particulièrement riche de la ville et plus globalement de l'Ecosse. Neil est un guide qui s'exprime de manière extrêmement claire en anglais. Il est facilement compréhensible pour des touristes francophones et très à l'écoute. Ce fut un réel plaisir que d'effectuer cette visite avec un tel guide. Les trois heures en sa compagnie sont passées très vite et nous avons eu un très grand plaisir à prolonger cette rencontre par une bière au pub sur la Royal mile street. Tres belle visite guidée d'Edimbourg
Ashley🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
3 August 2025
We absolutely loved our tour with Alec who was personable, knowledgeable and went above and beyond! He was prepared for any question we could ask and typically had additional information at his fingertips to share with us. Highly recommend! Wonderful experience with Alec
Cameron🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
3 August 2025
My family is still raving about our walking food tour with Chris! He is very knowledgeable about Edinburgh’s history and took us through various neighborhoods we would have otherwise missed. Along the way, we stopped at local establishments and tried delicious Scottish foods. He even accommodated our allergy requests. Book this tour now, you won’t regret it!Excellent experience
Michael
(About local )
2 August 2025
Russel was very knowledgable and affable. He adapted the tour to account for activities we had already already booked. He showed up unique parts of Edinburgh and helped us understand the uniqueness of the city.
Victoria🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
2 August 2025
Neil was one of the best guides I have ever had. His knowledge and passion of history is very evident. I especially appreciated his interest of Robert Louis Stevenson, one reason I chose him! I learned so very much Edinburgh history with him. He is a wealth of information. Very nice man. Next time I am in Edinburgh, we hope to see him again! Thank you Neil! Full of passion and history!
Gabby & Peter🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
31 July 2025
History is obviously one of Chris’s specialties. Chris engaged early and read his clients well. As we like to walk and explore, our 3 hour walking tour took us to a larger area than expected which was superb. Would recommend being introduced to Edinburgh by ChrisFriendly, engaging and very informative
Arthur
(About local )
26 July 2025
We had a great time with Alec on the food tour. At the beginning, he asked us a few questions to get an idea of our interests beyond food and quickly curated a lot of great sightseeing to go along with the snacks. Alec had great stories and histories to share about the town and kept the entire time very engaging. Because we were moving pretty quick, we also got to go on some bonus adventures, which was very welcomed. The food that was selected was great! If I had one critique, I would say that the back end of the tour where we sampled 4 different pies was a lot all at once. I think I would have preferred we did 1 or 2 pies (because you have to of course!) and maybe another quick stop for something different? However, we had such a great time on this tour and can't recommend it enough!Great Bites and Stories in Edinburgh
Heike🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
26 July 2025
Very interesting tour and Chriswas very flexible. Ask him a question and you will get the answers. We had a great tour with Chris!
Arne
(About local )
20 July 2025
Wir hatten zu viert eine private Tour mit Monika. Das war super, sehr informativ , sie geht auf alle Fragen ein.
Fragt zu Beginn nach unseren Interessen.
Thanks a lotSuper
Heather🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
18 July 2025
G was fantastic! We could have spent the whole day listening to his stories and the history of Edinburgh. He had us all laughing and on the edge of our seats. If he is available to book- do not hesitate. Also sent us on our way with wonderful recommendations. Thank you G!
5gmgnvz6sj
(About local )
17 July 2025
G knew exactly what we were looking for and tailored the tour accordingly. He took the time to get to know us and that resulted in a personalized tour. He went the extra mile. He’s a Mind Reader!
Brecken🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
16 July 2025
We had a fantastic afternoon exploring Edinburgh with Neil! His deep knowledge of the city's history, hidden gems, and fun facts kept us all engaged—and he even managed to keep our 9-year-old twins entertained the entire time. His warm personality and thoughtful recommendations made the experience feel like a day out with an old friend. He tailored the tour to our interests, added plenty of humor and charm, and shared insights we would’ve completely missed on our own. We ended the evening with a delicious dinner at a local spot Neil suggested—it was the perfect way to wrap up a truly memorable day. Highly recommend!A Perfect Day in Edinburgh with Neil!
Pam🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
16 July 2025
Chris was fantastic! He was very knowledgeable in the history and the food was great. The tour was wonderful and we had a lot of fun.Great tour
Katie
(About local )
15 July 2025
We loved our tour with Chris. He was incredibly knowledgeable of the city and took us to some really unique places. I don’t think we ever would have discovered or walked around the places he took us so it was all very fun to do. He even got my aunt to try haggis and she was adamant about not wanting to during our time here. This tour is a major highlight of our trip. Thanks again, Chris! Such a fun time!
Andrew🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
13 July 2025
Alec gave a really enjoyable tour with lots of tips and information we likely wouldn't have found on our own. We especially enjoyed the bit about the Heart of Midlothian and watching to see who stepped on it and who did not.
Avtar🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
12 July 2025
Booked this for my parents. They had a great time and a good chat with Russell. Definitely would recommend him for others. This tour was the perfect time length too. Russell was lovely
Rex🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
1 July 2025
We had a really great time with Chris. He’s a very pleasant person and shared interesting stories about the city he grew up in. It was a perfect introduction on the first day we arrived. Highly recommend doing a tour with him!Great tour with Chris!
Ivana
(About local )
1 July 2025
An afternoon spent with Russell gave us more insight and experience than two full days exploring the city on our own. His personal stories and childhood memories truly brought the places to life, adding a whole new layer of meaning to the streets of Edinburgh.
We discovered charming hidden alleys and iconic landmarks we would have completely missed if Russell hadn’t pointed them out. I really appreciated that he reached out to us beforehand and tailored the tour to match our interests — everything was thoughtfully planned. His deep knowledge of Edinburgh’s history added incredible context and made every stop along the way even more engaging.
He was well-prepared, kind, and an absolutely delightful person to explore the city with. It felt like walking around with a local friend who knows all the secrets.
Couldn’t recommend this tour more — a must-do in Edinburgh! :)An Unforgettable Afternoon with Russell!
Terrina🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
1 July 2025
I can't recommend Neil enough!
Neil is a local to Edinburgh with a passion for sharing his knowledge of his home town with tourists!
Our tour was at just the right pace - not too fast or too slow. Neil shared Edinburgh's history and hidden secrets- with a delightful touch of his own personal tales.
Thank you Neil!!!Best With Locals Guide Ever!!!
Caroline
(About local )
30 June 2025
We had an amazing tour with Neil! This is what we expected to have with a local. All the little interesting stories besides what you read in common travel literature. We had so much fun and would definitely recommend Neill ! He even sent us some information and links about our tour and provided us with tips for our onward journey! Couldnt have been better ! Best edinburgh stories with neil
Julie🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
25 June 2025
Chris was an excellent guide for our food and walking tour. He customized the tour for our family of four, which included a 13 and 10 year old. He provided some great history of the city and the food while guiding us to several great local places. Great tour!Great food tour!
Mary
(About local )
25 June 2025
Chris was such a nice guy and a wealth of knowledge about Edinburgh and Scotland. He was very personable and wanted to tailor the experience to our needs/wishes. I'm not sure that we tasted 10 items but it was close and the food was appropriately Scottish. The tour was good but I would not say good value for the money spent. It was expensive and the tastings were always one item shared between the 3 of us, which included the guide, and out of the same bowl/plate. So 3 people eating one soup or sipping one whisky. Take that as you will. If the food portion of the tour was improved upon it would be a top notch tour. A fun experience
Nicole🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
22 June 2025
Alec war ein fantastischer Gästeführer, der uns nicht nur einige interessante Geschichten über Edinburgh zu erzählen wusste, sondern auch kleinere Lokalitäten kannte, in denen wir typische Speisen verkosten konnten. Besonders Haggis hat uns gezeigt, wie groß Qualitätsunterschiede sein können. Herzlichen Dank, Alec für die grandiose Führung!Leckereien und Erzählungen
Nicole🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
22 June 2025
Neil war ein fantastischer Gästeführer. Er hat uns freundlich empfangen und kompetent durch die Geisterwelt der Stadt geführt. Aber nicht nur das: er wusste auch umfassend andere Geschichten zu erzählen, so dass die Zeit wie im Fluge verlief. Absolut empfehlenswert und ein großes DANKE an Neil!Großartige Führung durch die Geisterwelt
Sheila🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
16 June 2025
Chris is a great guide, we felt like locals after just 90 minutes with him. Started with an old map and some history and then from there, he incorporated the new with the old, and related stories to solidify the experience and location. As a result, today, our second day in Edinburgh, we got around with ease and comfort.
So helpful, we highly recommend.
Thanks, Chris!
Sheila and PaulThorough and fun 90 minutes with Chris
Unknown
(About local )
15 June 2025
Neil was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating to our needs and catered the tour our ability!
I highly recommend Neil!Fantastic tour guide!
Lessa🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
14 June 2025
Despite the rain (after all it is Edinburgh), Alec showed us interesting historical sites and bought us lovely treats. I even ate haggis, even though I never thought I would. It was delicious! I especially appreciated how Alec tailored the tour to our interests. For example, he took us to the University of Edinburgh because I told him I had a special interest in colleges. Hire Alec for a wonderful, fascinating day!We had a great day with Alec!
Cynthia🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
13 June 2025
My son & I very enjoyed our tour with Chris. We had just arrived in Edinburgh and met up with him at a spot along the Royal Mile. We chatted a bit about special needs (one of us has a food allergy and the other one is a bit slow moving). Chris was able to adjust the tour to fit our needs. Never having been to Scotland or partaken in traditional Scottish food & drink- we very much enjoyed the whole experience. Chris is very knowledgeable and pointed out many historical facts along our way- Also pointed out some Harry Potter related places and gave us the tips for the rest of our visit. It was a great way to start our visit to Edinburgh! Highly recommend! Unique, Enlightening & Engaging tour
Sandy🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
12 June 2025
Our food tour with Chris was really great! We’d been to Edinburgh previously so our interests were a bit different from the norm. Chris was able to quickly adapt and we thoroughly enjoyed all the food, drinks and history of the area. And especially a stop at Greyfriar’s Bobby to see the statue. Thanks Chris!Great Food Tour
Withlocals experiencesare always
Private & personalizedNo strangers, just you. Fully customize your trip to your needs.
With a local expertFrom historical facts to the most up-to-date health regulations.
Without the crowdsExperiences designed to take you away from the crowds towards authentic local spots.
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